The Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. Jomo Campbell said the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of The Bahamas, UrbanKisaan Farms and Sustainable Technology Limited (STL) for the Nation-Wide Hydroponic Farms with Sustainable Technology marks a pivotal moment in the country’s journey towards food security, climate resilience, and economic empowerment.
“We are launching a bold and innovative partnership, one that reimagines how we grow, distribute and consume food across our islands,” the Agriculture Minister said during the signing held at Sustainable Technology Limited on Monday, May 26, 2025.
He said, “This collaboration is not only timely, but it is urgent. As an island nation, The Bahamas has long faced challenges in local food production. We import over 90 per cent of the food we consume, making us acutely vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions, price shocks, and the unpredictable impacts of climate change.”
The Minister noted that the nation’s food system is under constant pressure. “The COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes, and geopolitical tensions have reminded us, time and again, that we must chart a new course, one where food sovereignty is not a dream but a deliberate policy outcome.”
He explained that UrbanKisaan Farms is an innovative leader in sustainable agriculture, whose cutting-edge hydroponic and vertical farming technologies have redefined what it means to grow food in challenging environments.
“Their mission aligns seamlessly with our goals to create scalable, high-yield, and environmentally responsible solutions for food production that not only feed our people, but also provide economic opportunity, particularly for our youth and small-scale farmers.”
The Agriculture Minister said as a 100 percent Bahamian-owned company, Sustainable Technology Limited is dedicated to addressing food security challenges and the impacts of climate change. “This bodes well for the government’s overall goal of modernizing and future-proofing our nation’s food systems.”
He added, “Sustainable Technology Limited is bringing innovative, locally grounded expertise that aligns with our mission to building a resilient, self-reliant Bahamas – one that is prepared to meet the challenges of climate change, while creating new opportunities for our local agriculture industry.”
The Minister said this MoU is more than a symbolic gesture — it is a framework for action.
“It lays the groundwork for the establishment of a network of smart farms across our archipelago—farms that use less water, require less land, and produce crops year-round. It will enable knowledge transfer, skill-building, and training programs that empower Bahamians to become leaders in the future of farming.”
He said it will also facilitate the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and IoT systems, into the nation’s agricultural landscape—bringing precision, efficiency, and scalability to food production like never before.
“We expect an increased production of food through this project with the cultivation of crops such as leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, and okras.”
The Minister said the partnership will be done in four phases:
He explained that phase one will involve the necessary permits and financing. Phase two will involve the manufacturing, logistics, construction and installation as the project will take place on five islands – Grand Bahama, New Providence, Andros, Abaco and Cat Island. Phase three of the project is a transitional phase.
The Minister said as the project progresses, the focus will shift towards knowledge transfer and capacity building, gradually phasing out UrbanKisaan’s role as Bahamians will be trained to assume operational duties.
He said by the fourth phase, the focus will shift to a transfer of ownership to the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources with UrbanKisaan and Sustainable Technology Limited providing ongoing support.
“Urban Kisaan and Sustainable Technology Limited will collectively invest a total of $24.5 million, while the government will invest $1.2 million and will continue to reinvest profits into the project.”
The Agriculture Minister said, “By the end of the final phase, we anticipate a workforce predominantly composed of fully trained Bahamian talent. This is not just about growing food. It is about growing people.”
By Llonella Gilbert/Bahamas Information Services
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